Method and apparatus to retrofit a display device for autostereoscopic display of interactive computer graphics

Abstract

A device and method for retrofitting a 2D display monitor to provide 3D stereoscopic displays is provided. The device includes a shutter plate that is releasably connectable to the front of 2D display monitor, and an interface device connects the shutter plate to the computer driving the display. Through the use of time-multiplexed techniques, the shutter plate of the present invention provides true 3D stereoscopic displays from 2D display devices.

1 . An apparatus for retrofitting a 2D display monitor used with a computer for auto stereoscopic display comprising: 
 a shutter plate positioned in front of and releasably attached to the display monitor; and    an interface device connected to the display monitor, computer and the shutter plate, said shutter plate and said interface device operatively provide stereoscopic display to a user of the 2D display device.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connection system for releasably attaching said shutter plate to the front of the display monitor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising video drivers stored in the computer for synchronizing operation of the shutter plate with software being run on the computer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor is one selected from a group consisting of CRT, plasma, OLED, DLP rear projection, and LCD.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shutter plate comprises a Liquid Crystal panel having a display area divided into optically active columns.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said Liquid Crystal Panel is a PI-Cell type liquid crystal.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said Liquid Crystal is a fast twisted nematic type liquid crystal.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said Liquid Crystal is addressed by at least one of TFT, TFD and a passive bus system.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shutter plate is capable of alternating between optical states at at least 50 times per second.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shutter plate includes a switch for switching between  2 D and  3 D modes of operation.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shutter plate further comprises a control panel having at least one control button for controlling the positioning of a viewing sweet spot for a particular user.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shutter plate further comprises an outer frame, said apparatus further comprising an alignment system integrated into said outer frame and adapted for aligning a user's eyes for stereoscopic display of graphic data.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said alignment system comprises: 
 a pair of spaced indents in said outer frame; and    a light source disposed in each of said indents, wherein said indents and said light source are spaced from each other a predetermined amount substantially equivalent to a distance between a user's left and right eyes.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said connection means comprises an adapter frame having means for connecting to a front surface of the display monitor on one side and means for connecting to said shutter plate on an opposing side.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said adapter frame has a predetermined depth corresponding to a predetermined gap distance between said shutter plate and the display monitor.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said connection means comprises at least one strap connected to an outer frame of said shutter plate and adapted to adhere to the display monitor to secure said shutter plate against the display monitor.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one strap further comprises a hook and loop fastener and said display monitor includes corresponding hook and loop fasteners for receiving and securing said strap against said display monitor.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said connection means comprises clips extending from an outer frame of said shutter plate, said clips adapted to engage the display monitor and secure said shutter plate there to.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said clips engage a seam in the edge of the display monitor.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface device comprises a dongle connecting the computer to the display device and the shutter plate.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said dongle performs column multiplexing operations for setting positioning of a stereoscopic sweet spot for viewing by the user.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said dongle further comprises a control panel for enabling software driver control.  
   
   
       23 . A method for retrofitting a 2D display monitor connected to a computer for 3D display of images comprising: 
 providing and connecting a shutter plate to the front of the 2D display monitor;    providing and connecting the computer, the 2D display and the shutter plate to an interface device;    controlling the interface device to cyclically control said shutter plate to selectively cycle through optically active columns in said shutter plate in response to graphic information supplied to said interface device via the computer.